Downtown Tulum: What You Need to Know
Discover key travel advice for Tulum, from safety and planning tips to beach insights, payments, emergency contacts, and much more.
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Tulum is renowned for its culinary scene, offering everything from traditional Mexican dishes to international cuisines. Whether you’re relaxing at your hotel, staying in a vacation rental, or enjoying a day at the beach, food delivery is a convenient way to savor the best of Tulum’s flavors without leaving your spot. Here’s everything you need to know about ordering food in Tulum.
Food Delivery Options in Tulum
Tulum has some options for food delivery, but it works a bit different than in most places. These are the options:
- Contacting Restaurants Directly: Some restaurants in Tulum provide their own delivery services. These are often managed through WhatsApp. You might be able to call them too, although you shouldn’t assume they all speak English fluently.
- Uber Eats: While Tulum has access to Uber Eats, its selection is currently limited to a small number of restaurants.
- Tomato.mx: It is a popular and reliable option for food delivery in Tulum, featuring a wide variety of restaurant menus. However, it’s important to note that this service currently operates on a cash-only basis for deliveries. Make sure to have enough cash on hand when placing an order.
- Grocery Delivery Service by Soriana: If you’re planning a longer stay, you can supposedly order groceries for delivery at Soriana, a well-known supermarket chain that recently opened a location in Tulum. We have not tried this yet, nor anyone we know, so we are not sure how well it works (since there are no addresses in Tulum other big supermarket chain delivery services don’t work in Tulum).
- Your Tulum Concierge Delivery Service: We can do personalized grocery shopping. Our fee starts at $50 USD. It saves time and trying to find out if they are selling what you’re looking for here or what the best alternatives are et cetera.
Types of Cuisine Available for Delivery
Tulum’s food scene is diverse, reflecting its international appeal. Here’s a glimpse of what you can easily order for delivery:
- Mexican Cuisine: Tacos, tamales, mole, and more. Many restaurants specialize in traditional recipes using fresh, local ingredients.
- Healthy Options: Tulum’s wellness culture means you’ll find plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free delivery options.
- Seafood: Freshly caught fish and seafood dishes are a highlight of Tulum’s coastal offerings.
- International Cuisine: From Italian pizzas to Thai curries, Tulum’s delivery services cover a wide range of global flavors.
For more insight into the different cuisines and the best restaurants for each, read our article on dining in Tulum.
Tips for Ordering Food in Tulum
- Use Local Currency (Pesos): While some restaurants accept USD, paying in pesos ensures you avoid unfavorable exchange rates.
- Confirm Delivery Areas: Tulum is divided into different zones, including the beach zone, downtown (Tulum Pueblo), and surrounding neighborhoods. Not all restaurants deliver to every area, so confirm whether they service your location before placing an order.
- Address Challenges in Tulum: Addresses in Tulum can be a significant challenge. Always provide the exact name of the building where you’re staying, ideally something that can be found on Google Maps. This ensures your delivery driver can locate you without unnecessary delays.
- Use WhatsApp for Quick Communication: WhatsApp is the go-to app for communication in Tulum. Most restaurants and delivery drivers prefer using it to coordinate orders and provide updates.
Other Challenges to Keep in Mind
- Limited Delivery Apps: Tulum’s reliance on local platforms and direct restaurant orders means you may need to be more proactive in finding options.
- Longer Wait Times: Delivery in Tulum can take longer than in major cities or western countries, especially during peak hours or if you’re located farther from town. Also, the laidback attitude in Tulum means delays are pretty frequent and can be quite long.
- Language Barriers: While many service providers in Tulum speak English, the delivery guys usually do not. If they can’t find the place or can’t get to your door, they often call you. If you don’t speak any Spanish that usually leads nowhere. You might want to just reply with a text (using Google Translate).
Conclusion
Food delivery in Tulum allows you to experience the town’s incredible culinary offerings from the comfort of your accommodation. Although it can work pretty well, for many people it takes some getting used to. Hopefully the tips and insights above help with that.
Bon appétit—or as they say in Mexico, ¡Buen provecho!
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